A few observations based on recent experience:
E-Bay prices seem to be very high. A seller wants $600 for a carbine barrel I just got on Gunbroker for $360. The E-Bay guy refused my offer of $450.
Deals can be found on Gunbroker. A recent sale for a .357 Contender pistol with a Leupold scope was $530 plus shipping, ffl and tax, if any. Sell the barrel, scope and Pachmayer stock and there's less than $300 invested in the frame.
The factory Contender (not G2) carbine stock is short with a low comb. It might work fine for open sights but does not work for me with a scope without modifications. A High Plains Gunstocks stock addresses those issues with class (at a cost, of course). Add-on parts are relatively cheap if you decide later that you want to use a scope.
